In the video we hear reflections on the two days of the conference from a wide range of delegates. Professor Sarah Howie of the University of Pretoria thinks that large corporations have to put money into working with experts who are producing educational tools, in particular for teaching literacy, as the Government just doesn’t have the money to put in extra resources and disseminate all the tools that are being developed. If the Government can work with the private sector, then they will have much more of an impact. 

Hilton Williams, Principal George Randell Primary, East London, a TalkTogether School working with the University of Fort Hare, feels that the conference has been amazing. It has been so informative and has shown how creative people can be. 

Dr Jean Place, Principal Tutor at the University of the Witwatersrand, feels that the education sector needs to provide more support for teachers. She acknowledges that without funding from Absa many schools wouldn’t have the opportunity. She feels that there are different resources for different income levels and that people need to recognise that even the most basic resources can make the most incredible difference.  

Bongi Mashiane from the Department of Education in Mpumalanga, has found the conference wonderfully informative and feels sure THRASS will help reading and writing, especially in disadvantaged areas. 

The thing that has most impressed Eric John, Principal of Clairwood Boys School in Durban, is the excitement and passion in the educators. No matter how good a programme is, it is the implementation that is most important. He feels that THRASS is the best tool available and cannot understand why the Government is waiting for further evidence of this. 

Margaret Macgillivray, Absa THRASS teacher in the Kwena Basin Project, Mpumalanga, can’t wait to show the videos she has seen to teachers at the schooks in order to show them how much they can really achieve. 

Anthony Pierce, PCEO, NAPTOSA KZN, admits having come to the conference with a certain amount of scepticism but he has been overwhelmed by the presentations that have been made.  

Everyone feels the conference has given them an enormous boost and is pleased to be part of the THRASS family. They have enjoyed the diversity of the presentations which they have found thought provoking and at the same time inspiring.  

THRASS UK is extremely grateful to Nicholas Young, CEO Unsecured Lending and New Business, Absa Bank and all the other Absa staff involved in the funding and organisation of the conference.